Costa Rica

This tiny Central American nation country is
blessed beyond measure with remarkable bio-diversity, panoramic beauty and
friendly people. It’s exotic but easily accessible. It’s well suited to
travelers in search of enriching natural and cultural experience. And - perhaps
most important of all - its tourism leaders well understand that Costa Rica’s
resources must be conserved for future generations. Costa Rica’s incredible
growth in popularity over the past decade increases to tremendously for last
two years. In 1997, the 808,000 tourists entered the country, the largest
number from the United States. Most visitors arrive at San Jose’s Juan
Santamaria International Airport; others arrive by sea at Costa Rica’s busy
cruise ports.

Who goes there?

Gardening hobbyists and expert botanists.
Families with kids who want to see a real volcano and couples seeking to get
away. Skilled whitewater rafters and first-time surfers. Bird-watches and beach
lovers. Sport-fishing aficionados and turtle taggers. Riders atop horses and
Harleys. Simply, Costa Rica is a destination for all kinds of travelers of all
interests and ages. "No artificial ingredients", the Costa Rica’s
Tourist Boards’s slogan, is apt. The natural experience is unmatched. With a
dozen distinct life zones, Costa Rica harbors an astonishing variety of natural
habitats and climatic zones. Its wonders includes several forests - tropical
rain, dry and cloud - jungles, mountain ranges, inactive and active volcanoes
and beaches on two coasts. Visitors can swim in the warm, tropical water of
isolated beaches, stare into the crater of an active volcano, run challenging
whitewater rivers, ride an aerial rainforest tram, and watch giant leatherback
turtles nest nightly on the beach.

No other country in the world has so much
protected area per capita: 20 national parks, 13 biological reserves and a
national monument, plus 25 protected areas, 12 forests and 9 wildlife
sanctuaries. Together, these areas protect many species of mammals, birds,
reptiles, amphibians, fresh and saltwater fish and other flora and fauna. It is
estimated that this tiny nation is endowed with as much as five percent of all
life forms on earth.

Climate

Costa Rica’s climate is
idyllic. Daytime temperature in the lowlands range from the 80’s to 90F, and
the 40-50F in the mountains. The Northwest has a fairly defined dry season from
November to April, while rainfall on the Caribbean side is more evenly
distributed, with dry period from May to June and September - October.

So much in so little space

Tiny in size but large in diversity, Costa Rica
can be divided into distinct vacation regions. Most tours begin and end in the
Capital city of San Jose, in the country’s central valley. This
bustling city features large Central Market; the neo-classic National Theater,
built in 1890; and the National Museum with its collection of pre-Columbian
artifacts. Handicrafts are plentiful in San Jose, including pottery, oxcarts,
animal and spirit sculptures, masks and all kinds of items fashioned from
tropical woods. Day trips can be easily taken from San Jose to nearby
volcanoes, rainforest reserves and river rafting locations. The nearby village
of Sarchi, the crafts capital of Costa Rica known for its intricate hand
painted objects, is another charming place to visit.

Costa Rica’s two coastlines differ considerably.
On the Pacific side, the Province of Guanacaste, covering most of Nicoya
Peninsula in the Northwest, calls itself "the sunny side of Costa
Rica". With more than 200 miles of coastline and more than 70 different
beaches, and a third of the country’s national parks and wildlife reserves,
Guanacaste offers visitors water and wilderness in one compact region. Turtle
nesting sites, refuges for migrating birds, stunning caves and the largest
protected tropical dry forest in the world are all located here. Great fishing,
windsurfing and diving spots, plus a wide range of hotels, make this a top
destination for adventure travelers.

Manuel Antonio Park, located south of Guanacaste, is only 1700 acres, but its
exquisite beaches, abundant wildlife and easy access make it one of the most
visited national parks. Three-toed sloths, white-nosed agoutis and troops of
monkeys live in the park, and there is an impressive concentration of birds:
frigates, scarlet-rumped tanagers, and black-bellied wrens, to name a few.

Here, visitors can bask on white sand beaches or take up surfing, snorkeling,
sport fishing, scuba diving, white water rafting, sea kayaking, rainforest
expeditions and other activities. Nearby, the sleepy fishing town of Quepos is
the center of sport fishing in the central part of the coast. At the
Southern Pacific coast is the Osa Peninsula, edged with scenic beaches, rocky
headlands and virgin tropical wet forest, rushing streams and waterfalls. Corcovado
National Park contains 13 distinct habitats and more than 300 species
of birds. Other wildlife includes jaguar, tapir and ocelot and a stunning
assortment of butterflies and other insects.

Steamy and tropical, the Caribbean coastal
lowlands reveal marvels of the tropical rainforests and sea turtle nesting
beaches that are protected in Tortuguero National Park and the Barra
del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Waterways provide an entrance to the
vine-draped forests, home to three species of monkeys, bats, sloths and
hundreds of species of birds.

Down the coast, the province of Limon is one of
the most culturally distinctive parts of Costa Rica. Populated by native
Americans from the Bribri and Cabecar tribes and Afro-Americans that came to
Costa Rica a century ago, Limon possesses a unique rhythm and charm reminiscent
of Caribbean Islands. Water-based activities here are: the Pacuare River is a
favorite for whitewater rafters and Cahuita National Park protects and
underwater area of coral reefs and sea grasses.

Meet the Ticos

The hospitality of the warmhearted Costa Rican
people, known as ticos, is itself a major draw. Cosat Ricans are
proud of their devotion to education and environment, their culture and their
family values. Some may say ticos are product of their
freedom. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and the government spends money
that would have been used for military purposes on education and medical
services instead. The government is deservedly proud that its school teaches
outnumber police officers, its literacy rate is 93%, and that its longstanding
political stability and steady democracy are models for the world. While Costa
Rica is known for its civilized way of life and for all its remarkable natural
assets, peace is the most valuable feature.

Solid Infrastructure

There is a steadily increasing supply of hotels
and lodges throughout Costa Rica - more than 27,000 hotel rooms, many of each
are located in small inns in fewer than 50 rooms. The hotels offer everything
from jungle lodges and rustic accommodations to sophisticated inns and boutique
hotels to world class five-star resorts with top-notch golf courses. More
resorts and spas are built to draw more upscale clientele. There seemed to be a
big trend now for more pampering, more amenities. Such resorts as Melia El
Tucano Resort and Spa - an hour from Arenal Volcano, The Tara Resort near San
Jose are just to name a few. El Parador Hotel and Beach Club is a luxury
property perched on a point overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park already
has a reputation as a celebrity hangout.

Getting around is easy here. The country’s
sudden increase in tourism means most vehicles have come online in a past few
years. Costa Rica has a selection of major car rental firms offering regular
cars and 4WD vehicles for secondary roads; a large fleet of late-model highway
coaches and vans; and limousine service. Two domestic airlines and a number of
charter services, including helicopters, provide service to nearly every part
of the country.

Food - exotic but
comfortable.

You will find eating a delight here. Costa
Ricans trace their heritage to many European and Asian countries, resulting in
culinary melting pot that reveals itself in a proliferation of restaurants. The
country’s cuisine is tasty, too - tico fare is built around
rice, beans, corn, vegetables, meat, chicken or fish and is usually served with
corn tortillas. Breakfast typically features a dish called gallo pinto,
a mixture of rice and black beans which may be accompanied by eggs, corn
tortillas and sour cream. There are regional specialties, such as the
Caribbean-flavored cuisine of Limon and the many corn dishes of Guanacaste. And
Costa Rican coffee is considered among the finest in the world.

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